Combined drainage rack and storage receptacle



1958 M. GLASSENBERG 2,847,127

COMBINED DRAINAGE RACK AND STORAGE RECEPTACLE Filed Feb. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 12, 1958 M. GLASSENBERG COMBINED DRAINAGE, RACK AND STORAGE RECEPTACLE Filed Feb. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

FIG. 4.

IN VEN TOR.

52 New FIG.5. 3

COMBINED DRAINAGE RACK AND STORAGE RECEPTACLE Marvin Glassenberg, Chicago, ill. Application February 26, 1954, Serial No. 412,839

3 Claims. (Cl. 2-11-34) This invention relates to storage racks for foot-gear and related articles such as rubbers, overshoes, umbrellas and the like which require storage and drainage after use, and more particularly the invention relates to an improved device for first drying and draining the articles, and then storing the same in concealed position.

It is well known that the storageand drainage of footgear such as overshoes and the like after use during rainy or snowy weather has long presented a problem to most householders as well as storekeepers, restaurant owners and proprietors of other public places frequented by the public. In most instances, the wet, muddy foot-gear was merely placed on the floor and permitted to drain and dry in the open. Naturally, such foot-gear, especially when placed in an unconcealed position, was unsightly. Moreover, the'drainage waters, etc. often injured and marred the floor surfaces and finishes. At best, the floor was dirtied and required frequent cleaning and attention. In many apartment dwellings, where it was the custom for families to leave such foot-gear in the hallway, the damage which resulted from-this unsightly and damaging method of storage has resulted in the institution of rules and regulations by the apartment dwelling owners requiring that rubbers and the like no longer be stored in the hallways. On the other hand, the-limited living space of the modern city dweller has discouraged the use-of large, cumbersome storage facilities and the like.

Recognition of the long felt need has resulted in the introduction of numerous devices which have attempted to remedy the situation by providing storage and drainage facilities. However, to my knowledge, none of these prior art devices have proved practical, and for that reason have not been universally-accepted.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to generally improve. upon prior devices with which I am familiar, by affording a compact, simplified and economical structure which performs the requisite functions and affords not only an eflicient drainage device but moreover affords a concealed storagespace for the articles after they have been drained and thoroughly dried.

One of'the embodiments of the invention envisions the utilization of the drainage Water to humidify the atmosphere of the rooms.-

In another embodiment of the invention, means are provided for collecting and removing the drainage water without in any way detracting from the primary function of the device.

Another important object is to provide a ,combined drainage rack and storage compartment so attractive V in appearance that it will not in any way be objectionable to the modern housewife. I

A further object especially of thestorage compartment is to afford means wherein the'foot-gear articles, which are ordinarily not used except when the occasion deplacement of such articles.

Still another object is to afford a storage receptacle 2,847,127 Fatented Aug. 12, 1958 wherein foot-gear articles such as rubbers, overshoes and the like may be stored in the most desirable atmosphere, thereby preventing undue deterioration resulting from the storage in stuffy closets and at the elevated temperatures which oftentimes prevail in such closets. Since the rack may be stored in a hallway or other portion of the home where adequate air circulation is maintained, the rubber articles are less susceptible to deterioration from atmospheric conditions.

And yet another object is to provide a drainage and storage rack of simple, inexpensive construction, yet sturdy, attractive and most effective for the desired functions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of arack embodying the principles of my invention as viewed from the front thereof;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view revealing specifically the storage compartment of the rack as viewed from the rear thereof and with a portion broken away to illustrate certain details of construction;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the plane of line 44 in Fig. 3 of the drawings, viewed in the direction indicated and showing the drainage board partially removed from the slots; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

In accordance with the invention, the device comprises a rack having an inclined top surface upon which may be placed the wet foot-gear articles so that the moisture therefrom drains downwardly and is collected in a trough provided at the bottom of the inclined surface. If desired, a removable tray may be placed therein to collect the drainage waters so that they may be periodically removed. On the other hand, the drainage waters may be left to evaporate into the atmosphere, thereby humidifying the air of the room. Beneath the inclined top drainage surface may be afforded a storage compartment within which the dried foot-gear articles may be placed and stored for future use in concealment.

Turning now to the several figures of the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates generally a rack embodying the principles of my invention. This rack may be constructed with a pair of side walls 12 and 14 respectively spaced apart and secured to a bottom wall 16. The shape of these side walls may be varied as desired, but in the embodiment chosen for illustration it will be noted that the top of both of the walls are inclined downwardly from the rear to the front of the rack as at 18 and 20 respectively.

At the front of the device a bracing strip 22 is affixed 3 joining the side walls 12 and 14 together. This strip also serves another function which will be disclosed as the description proceeds.

An inclined groove such as at 24 is formed on the inner surfaces of each of the side walls 12 and 14, said groove being parallel to the inclined top edges 18 and 253 respec tively of the side walls but spaced from the top thereof. These grooves are aligned one with the other so that within the same may be slidably positioned a drainage is completed by a rod or stop member such as 38 which is positioned in front and above the front of the board 26. This will be especially noted by observing Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

Turning now to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that a pair of bracing strips such as 40 and 42 are afiixed at the rear joining together the two side walls 12 and 14. The top strip may be formed with a central arcuate shaped groove such as 43 for the purpose of facilitating the removal of the board 26 by affording a space into which may be inserted the fingers of the operator for grasping and removing it from the slots. The lower strip 42 also affords a sill for assisting in retaining foot-gear articles in the storage compartment 44.

In operation the wet foot-gear may be placed on the top board 26 so that the tips thereof abut the bar 38 and are thereby held in position on the inclined surface. As the water or snow melts it drains downwardly and is collected within the trough 36. After the foot-gear has been dried it may be removed from the top inclined board 26 and stored therebeneath in the storage compartment 44.

In such position it is concealed from view but properly stored at all times. In the event that the capacity of the storage compartment is insufficient to store all of the foot-gear, then of course the remaining foot-gear may remain on the top of the top draining surface. The drainage water which is collected within the trough 36 is readily evaporated into the atmosphere of the room and assists in humidifying the atmosphere.

The rack may be constructed of any desirable material such as wood, metal, plastic, composition-board and the like. The rod 38 may be used as a scraper for removing dirt, etc. from the foot-gear. It should also be noted that the removable drainage board. affords ready access to the storage compartment for cleaning and similar purposes.

In Fig. of the drawings there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention in which similar parts are identified by like numerals with the added suflix a. In this embodiment there is provided a removable tray 50 so that as the drainage water is collected therein, it may be removed and disposed of if desired. In this embodiment the strip 34 may be eliminated, and instead, rods or narrow strips such as 52 and 54 may be substituted therefor. In all other respects this modification remains the same as the first described modification.

From the above description and from the drawings it should be apparent that I have provided a simple, compact, sturdy, attractive drainage and storage device which may be removably positioned in any convenient location in the house, apartment building or the like. The device supports foot-gear in the most effective position for drainage, provides means for collecting the drainage water, and provides means for storing in concealed position the foot-gear after it has been dried. Drying of the foot-gear is accomplished in the open atmosphere without necessitating the use of devices which might impede the free circulation of air thereabout.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a footgear combined drainage rack and storage receptacle of the character described; a rack having a pair of side walls, a bottom wall and an inclined top drainage wall, a front strip extending between said side walls, a second strip positioned parallelly in spaced relationship with said front strip and affording a collecting trough therebetween, and a stop member extending between said side walls and positioned above and in front of the front edge of said top wall, said side walls, bottom wall and top wall defining a concealed storage compartment, said top drainage wall adapted to support wet footgear in draining relationship, the inner surfaces of said side walls each formed with an aligned inclined slot extending from the rear of the side wall to a point spaced from the front end of the same, the side marginal edges of said top wall adapted to being slidingly positioned within said slots.

2. In a combined drainage rack and storage receptacle, an inclined drainage board upon which may be positioned wet foot-gear, a pair of side walls the top edges of which slope downwardly from the rear to the front, the inner surface of each side wall formed with an inclined slot positioned in spaced relationship with the top edge thereof and extending from the rear edge to a point spaced from the front edge of the side wall, said drainage beard removably supported by said slots, a front strip connecting the front edges of said side walls, a bottom wall upon which the side walls are mounted, a second strip positioned in spaced relationship with said front strip and affording a collecting trough therebetween, a rod extending between said side walls and positioned above and slightly in front of the front edge 'of the drainage board, a pair of vertically aligned bracing strips joining the rear edges of the side walls, one of said bracing strips positioned at the bottom of the side walls and the other positioned immediately below the drainage board, the enclosed space below the drainage board afiording a concealed storage compartment for dried foot-gear.

3. In a footgear combined drainage rack and storage compartment of the character described; an inclined drainage board communicating at its lower end with a collecting trough, a housing defining a storage compartment and including a pair of side walls, said drainage board comprising the top wall of said storage compartment housing, and a scraper bar extending between said side walls and positioned above and slightly in front of the front edge of said drainage board, said drainage board adapted to support footgear in draining position, and said scraper bar comprising a stop member for footgear on the drainage board.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 124,085 Richmond Feb. 27, 1872 600,273 Smith Mar. 8, 1898 1,238,275 Deeley Aug. 28, 1917 1,349,771 Kline Aug. 17, 1920 2,029,802 Webber Feb. 4, 193

FOREIGN PATENTS 31,291 Switzerland Aug. 23, 1904 235,266 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1945 678,852 Great Britain Sept. 10, 1952 

